Every hair has three layers — the medulla (inner fibers), the cortex and the cuticle (outer layer).
Hair grows about 0.25 inch every month and can continue to grow for up to 6 years before it falls out and make room for a new hair strand.
The hair’s lifespan depends on many factors including styling. If you style your hair excessively, it damages the cuticle, exposing the medulla which then leads to static and dryness.
Here are the things you may be doing that are harmful to your hair:
1. Bleaching
The process and chemicals used in bleaching make the hair weak. Bleaching changes the hair structure making it more vulnerable to damage.
2. Perming
Whether chemical chemical curling or straightening, perming breaks the hair’s inner bonds and changing them. This weakens the hair, causing damage and dullness.
3. Highlights and coloring
Highlights and dyes may not be as damaging as bleach, but they too can alter the hair’s inner structure leading to dry and lackluster hair.
4. Using heated styling tools
Your stylist at Hair Cuttery has probably told you that excessive use of heat styling tools is a bad thing. Heat temporarily alters the hydrogen bonds of the hair so it behaves the way you intend them to. But frequent use of flat iron and blow dryers can cause permanent damage.
5. Ponytails and braids
You probably didn’t think we’d include these on our list. But indeed, ponytails and braids can cause some damage especially if they’re very tight, causing breakage especially if hair is wet.
6. Over-brushing
As a kid, you were told that brushing your hair with a hundred strokes can make it shiny but over-brushing actually leads to breakage and split ends due to consistent friction.
7. Over-shampooing
Shampooing is necessary to remove oil buildup and cleanse the scalp. But if you do it frequently, it will remove the hair’s natural moisture causing dryness.
8. Using weaves and hair extensions
Weaves and hair extensions can leave the hair brittle and broken. But it causes more damage than your braids and ponytails, as it can also damage the roots.
9. Applying too much conditioner
You shouldn’t apply conditioner on your scalp. Keep it to the ends of the hair as this is the area that can benefit the most from extra hydration and moisture. If you think your hair is extra dry, add more conditioner but it shouldn’t exceed the size of a quarter.
10. Not using a deep conditioner
If your hair is very dry and damaged, you should use a deep conditioner. This is especially true if you like to style your hair using hot tools or if you have colored your hair. Use a deep conditioner a week before and a week after any chemical treatment.
11. Brushing wet hair
Wet hair is fragile so be sure not to force tangles apart using a brush. Before showering you should untangle hair. In the shower, use a wide toothed comb while applying hair conditioner.
12. Roughly towel-drying hair
Don’t vigorously use the towel on your hair after stepping out of the shower. Instead, gently blot the towel on your hair so as not to harm the cuticle.
Here are the benefits of deep conditioning: